AMERICAN COLKOPTKRA. 259 



PROTHECA LeConte. 



This genus was proposed by LeConte for two small species of ob- 

 long oval form, semi erect pubescence and punctate- striate elytra. 

 The antenna? were described as 11-jointed, but this applies to one of 

 them only, the other having these organs 9-jointed ; in both cases of 

 the type prevailing in allied genera. The last palpal joints are tri- 

 angular, compressed, nearly as wide as long, with the apex broadly 

 somewhat obliquely truricate. Head deeply excavated beneath for 

 the antennae. Eyes rather small and only moderately convex, cly- 

 peal suture not impressed, obsolete. Prothorax convex, transverse, 

 gradually narrowed in front, the sides nearly straight; hind angles 

 rounded, front angles right and sharply defined. Elytra punctate- 

 striate. Presternum very short, intercoxal process pointed ; coxa? 

 depressed, nearly contiguous. Mesosternum horizontal for a short 

 distance in front, vertical and concave behind. Metasternum chan- 

 neled, declivous each side, produced between the middle coxa? into 

 a short impressed transverse lobe. Middle coxa? separated by fully 

 two-thirds their own width. Epi pleura? excavated beneath the 

 humeri for the reception of the middle knees, sinuate at the margin 

 and foveate for the hind knees; ventral segments arcuate at middle. 

 Tibia? not compressed or striate. 



Our two species may be distinguished thus : 



Antennae 11-jointed, punctures of elytral series fine, obsolete posteriorly. 



1. hispida. 

 Antennae 9-jointed, punctures of elytral series coarser, distinct to apex. 



2. puberula. 



1. P. hispida Lee. — Oblong-oval, scarcely twice as long as wide, brown ; 

 pubescence conspicuous, the hairs in part more or less bristling or suberect and 

 changing in direction, though not as distinctly vortical as in Cryptorama holose- 

 ricea and C corticale. The arrangement is such as to leave a conspicuous darker 

 spot on each elytron before the middle in well preserved specimens. Antennae 

 11-jointed, first joint large, second rounded, thicker than the following; 3-8 

 small, triangular, the third slightly elongate; 4-8 transverse, third, fifth and 

 seventh a little more prominent internally; ninth and tenth subtriangular, one- 

 half longer than wide; eleventh longer, oval ; 9-11 together as long as all the pre- 

 ceding. Prothorax coarsely not sparsely punctured ; elytra not striate, but with 

 series of moderate punctures which are frequently more or less confused and 

 which become obsolete behind the middle. The entire upper surface minutely 

 punctulate in addition to the more conspicuous punctuation. Scutellum trans- 

 verse. Metasternum nearly evenly punctate throughout. Abdomen a little less 

 conspicuously but quite plainly so. First tarsal joint nearly equal to the three 

 following. Length 1.6-2.4 mm. 



TEANS. AM. ENT. SOC. XXXI. JULY, 1905. 



